Paging Dr. Robot: St. E gets first da Vinci robotic surgical system in Northern Kentucky

St. Elizabeth Medical Center is set to operate on its first patient this August using Intuitive Surgical’s high-tech da Vinci S Surgical System.

The robotic surgery system is the Northern Kentucky region’s first. Gynocologic Oncology and Urology patients will be among the first to undergo this minimally invasive surgery, accorting the St. Elizabeth.


“With this new system in place, the benefit to patients will be a quicker recovery, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker return to their baseline functioning level,” said Dr. Jack Basil, gynecologic oncologist.  “In addition, this new robotic surgical system will keep St. Elizabeth Healthcare at the forefront of surgical technology.”


The system, introduce in 2006, allows for smaller incisions and more precise cuts. Among its further benefits are reduced hospitalization costs and lesser patient trauma.


“My robotic experience has confirmed improved outcomes for patients,” said Dr. J.D. Williams, urologist.  “I am eagerly looking forward to having the opportunity to offer this technology to patients in Northern Kentucky.”


The da Vinci Surgical System consists of an “ergonomically designed console where the surgeon sits, a mobile patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a high-resolution 3-D vision system, and proprietary wristed instrumentation,” according to St. Elizabeth. The surgeons hand movements are in synch with the tiny tools inside the patient’s body.


The St. Elizabeth Foundation providing funds for the da Vinci system. The foundation helps the hospital purchase important, but otherwise cost prohibitive like the da Vinci.


Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: St. Elizabeth Medical Center

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